Prof. E. M. Crookshank

Abstract

THE sudden death of Prof. Crookshank on July 1 removes one who was a pioneer of bacteriology in Great Britain. He came of a family of soldiers, but at an early age showed a liking for scientific work, and after school days was first a pupil of Sir Ray Lankester at University College, whose teaching doubtless influenced his choice of career. Obtaining a science exhibition at King's College, London, he entered there as a medical student, and finally graduated as M.B. with honours in the University of London. During his training at King's College, Lister arrived in London to become surgeon to King's College Hospital, and Crookshank was one of his dressers and afterwards house surgeon at the Hospital. He thus early became imbued with the teaching of Lister and acquainted with the germ theory of disease. In consequence of his experience under Lister he was selected for special duty in the Egyptian Expedition of 1882, was present at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, and received the medal and Khedive's star for his services. He wrote a report on the antiseptic methods employed in the campaign and gave valuable evidence before the Royal Commission on Medical Services in Egypt.